JACKSON – A resident of Idaho has been charged with attempting to distribute more than 25 pounds of marijuana in Ocean County.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said David L. Lincoln, 65, of Ketchum, Idaho, has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana over 25 pounds with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute over 25 pounds of marijuana and financial facilitation (money laundering), according to a press release.
On Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24, detectives from the prosecutor’s Special Operations Group and members of the Jackson Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit located a 1997 Jeep Cherokee and towable camper they had previously determined Lincoln used.
The vehicle was observed in the area of Houston Avenue in Jackson and the detectives, with the assistance of Jackson police officers, conducted a motor vehicle stop on the Jeep Cherokee, according to the press release.
The driver was identified as Lincoln and he was arrested and transported to the Jackson Police Department.
The prosecutor’s office said detectives from the Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit, conducted a three-month investigation that resulted in the seizure of a large amount of marijuana and cash.
The investigation identified Lincoln as being an alleged supplier of large amounts of marijuana, according to the press release.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Lincoln traveled across the country to locations on the east coast, including Ocean County, where he allegedly delivered large amounts of marijuana. The detectives identified his vehicle as a red 1997 Jeep Cherokee with a small towable pop-up camper.
Detectives obtained search warrants for the Jeep Cherokee and the camper. As a result of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, police seized approximately 52 pounds of marijuana and $118,000 in cash, according to the press release.
The prosecutor’s Financial Crimes Unit located bank accounts used by Lincoln to facilitate his alleged illegal activity. Detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit seized the accounts.
Authorities said the seized marijuana has an approximate street value of $150,000. Police seized the Jeep Cherokee and the camper pending forfeiture proceedings.
Lincoln was initially placed in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of bail, which was set at $575,000 with no 10 percent option.
Capt. Jack Sramaty, commander of the prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, said, “The dedication and commitment of the detectives of the Special Operations Group and the Financial Crimes Unit are second to none. As a team, the prosecutor’s office will continue to follow Prosecutor (Joseph) Coronato’s mandates by relentlessly identifying, investigating and prosecuting the dealers who are operating in and around Ocean County.”
